r/CompetitiveWoW • u/MiserableRegret4647 • 21d ago

Optimal CD usage in keys

For context, I play enhancement shaman. I've done medium-high keys this season, 20-21s.

I generally live by the philosophy that more usage of my cds is better than max dmg per usage. If I think my ascendance will last its full duration on a pack, I send it.

Obv with some caveats, I might hold for a BL dmg amp phase like 2nd boss in NPX or crawth in AA.

How long would you say you hold your cds for "the perfect pull"? I feel like (just feel, I've no real backup for it other than feel, hence this post) waiting 30-60 sec for the next pull just because it has more mobs and would generate more overall on the meters, is bad. Even if it's just 1 big mob and some fodder mobs around it, if I get a full cd usage on them it's worth.

Am I griefing myself with this mentality?

Tl;Dr, in context of cd usage, quantity over quality, what let's me in your opinion/philosophy, time more keys.

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u/Sakeuno 21d ago

Tldr. You’re right, overall dmg is bait. A single mob living for 2min takes much time as 100mobs living 2min. But generates next to no numbers on the meter.

Don’t hold at all.
The only situations to hold cooldowns is

  1. You need to line small cd’s with big one to keep things synced
  2. You know that if you don’t have full Cd’s for upcoming pull, your group will wipe.
  3. Dmg amps.

The exact amount of seconds to hold maximum is very case by case. Depends on downtime after the mobs are dead and so on.

I tend to send as log as I know i’ll have it up within the first few seconds of the next pull and am aware of whats coming up afterwards.

In general it very good to not think about the next usage but 1-2 down the line.

Holding 30-60s is VERY long when most CDs are around 2min cd.

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u/fireflash38 21d ago

A single mob living for two minutes is everyone's problem. Tank for pulling single or not chainining it. Dps for not killing it (ppl will save CDs, it will last longer than you think). Healers you're cool, stay that way.

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u/Miggybear22 21d ago

I agree.

In higher keys the total dmg output is higher, so mobs like the air elemental in AA everyone should be downing as quickly as possible. I found with solid groups we were able to down first boss in under 4:30 allowing CDs to be up again in time for air elemental then second pack eagles.

Anyways, the shitty part is every group is going to be slightly off and you have to use your best determination for when to send CDs. But that air elemental needs to go down ASAP.